Cloth stacking device

ABSTRACT

The apparatus is designed to grasp a length of cloth coming from a sewing machine and to drape it over a horizontal bar. A plurality of lengths of cloth can thus be stacked one above the other on a horizontal bar. Means are then provided for moving the bar out of position and moving an empty bar into position so that successive lengths of cloth from the sewing machine can be stacked. Essentially the carrying device comprises a pair of endless belts operating in contiguous relationship and driven from the same source. The endless belts are driven so that the cloth coming from the sewing machine passes between them and is carried along between the belts until a tripping bar is reached. At this point a pair of movable fingers grasps the side edges of the cloth and the stacking takes place. A frame is provided on which an elongated bar is slidably movable at right angles to the endless belts. The fingers which grasp each side edge of the cloth are mounted on this bar. As soon as the fingers grasp the cloth the bar moves at right angles to the belts along a frame. The bar on which the cloth is stacked is positioned in a separate frame mounted beneath the carrier frame for the bar. The bar carrying the fingers then moves over the rod mounted in the frame beneath it and carries the cloth over it. At a fixed position a switch is tripped and the fingers release the cloth so that it falls draped over the rod. The bar carrying the fingers then returns to its original position ready for the next piece of cloth issuing from the sewing machine. This is repeated until a sufficient amount of cloth is piled up or stacked on to the rod. The operator then presses a button and the rod is moved away to a remote position where it can be picked up. A fresh rod is now moved into position ready to receive the next piece of cloth.

nited States Patent Firestein et al.

[451 June 27, 1972 [541 CLOTH STACKING DEVICE [73] Assignee: Louis Hand Incorporated, Fall River,

Mass.

[22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 73,545

[52] US. Cl ..1l2/l2l.29, 271/68 3,345,963 10/1967 Shoaf ..271/68 X 3,357,701 12/1967 Cremer "271/1 X 3,367,651 2/1968 Eller et a1. ..271/70 3,537,702 11/1970 Kosrow et a1. ..271/1 Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Attorney- Max Schwartz [57] ABSTRACT The apparatus is designed to grasp a length of cloth coming from a sewing machine and to drape it over a horizontal bar. A

plurality of lengths of cloth can thus be stacked one above the other on a horizontal bar. Means are then provided for moving the bar out of position and moving an empty bar into position so that successive lengths of cloth from the sewing machine can be stacked. Essentially the carrying device comprises a pair of endless belts operating in contiguous relationship and driven from the same source. The endless belts are driven so that the cloth coming from the sewing machine passes between them and is carried along between the belts until a tripping bar is reached. At this point a pair of movable fingers grasps the side edges of the cloth and the stacking takes place.

A frame is provided on which an elongated bar is slidably movable at right angles to the endless belts. The fingers which grasp each side edge of the cloth are mounted on this bar. As soon as the fingers grasp the cloth the bar moves at right angles to the belts along a frame. The bar on which the cloth is stacked is positioned in a separate frame mounted beneath the carrier frame for the bar. The bar carrying the fingers then moves over the rod mounted in the frame beneath it and carries the cloth over it. At a fixed position a switch is tripped and the fingers release the cloth so that it falls draped over the rod. The bar carrying the fingers then returns to its original position ready for the next piece of cloth issuing from the sewing machine. This is repeated until a sufficient amount of cloth is piled up or stacked on to the rod. The operator then presses a button and the rod is moved away to a remote position where it can be picked up. A fresh rod is now moved into position ready to receive the next piece of cloth.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUW I972 3. 6 72.314

sum 1 OF 3 PNENTEDJUW I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTORS HARRY FIRESTEIN KARL TYAS FIG.3

CLOTH STACKING DEVICE Our present invention relates to a stacking device and more particularly to means for stacking squares of cloth issuing from a sewing machine.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatically stacking pieces of cloth issuing from a sewing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatically removing a piece of cloth issuing from a sewing machine and stacking it into position one over the other for easy handling.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a stacking device which can be readily mounted adjacent a sewing machine for removing and stacking lengths of curtain material or other rectangular pieces of fabric issuing from the sewing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stacking device for a sewing machine which quickly removes the work from the operator of the machine and allows the operator to control the stacking automatically.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cloth stacking device for work issuing from a sewing machine which is simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view our invention consists ofa novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularlydefined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view ofa cloth stacking device embodying our present invention.

F IG. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the stacking rack shown in FIG. 2.,

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cloth carrying and transfer mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view showing the device for the cloth grasping-mechanism.

In the manufacture of many cloth articles it is required that a plurality of sewing operations be performed on a single piece of cloth. It is therefore necessary to transfer the cloth from one sewing machine operator to another. If the item is a regular piece such as rectangular, it lends itself to automatic handling and stacking. The present invention is designed to provide a device for handling and stacking articles such as curtains or draperies. In the illustrated device a piece of curtain material is provided with a buckram lining for stiffening preparatory to providing pinch pleats along the edge. The device must therefore take the square of cloth from the sewing machine and transfer it to a rack for holding a plurality of pieces. Intermediate these operations the buckram and thread must be separated or cut since the operator feeds successive pieces rapidly beneath the sewing machine.

Essentially, the device of the present invention has two distinct separable parts. The first part receives the cloth from the sewing machine and transfers it to a mechanism which is at right angles to the original path of movement and drapes it over the stack rack. The second portion of the machine is the stack rack for receiving the cloth. This provides a rod over which the cloth is stacked. The operator can remove the rod after a predetermined number of pieces of cloth have been draped over it. The rod will move automatically to a set position and a fresh rod will move into stacking position. The two portions of the device thus are complementary to each other.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the sewing machine may be of any conventional type and designed to sew a seam on a piece of cloth traveling beneath the needle at the right end of the machine in FIG. 1. In the illustrated form it is contemplated that a strip of buckram be simultaneously sewed to the back of the strip of cloth. The sewing machine 10 is mounted on a table 11. The transfer device is positioned directly behind the table 11 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The

control transfer device comprises a rectangular frame 12 preferably formed of angle iron or channel stock. The frame comprises three spaced vertical posts 13in alignment with the rear of the sewing machine. Each post 13 is braced by a short horizontal portion 14 at the lower end and an angular bracing portion 15 extending from the end of the portion 14 upwardly to a point adjacent the top of the vertical posts. The frame also comprises a horizontal member 16 extending across the top of the posts 13, two side members 17 extending from each end of the member 16 at right angles thereto and a member 18 at the end of the side members 17. The horizontal member 18 is longer than the spacing between the side members 17 and is supported at each end by a vertical adjustable post 19. The length of the member 18 permits it to straddle the stacking member positioned beneath it as hereinafter will be described.

Mounted on the frame 12, and in direct alignment with the rear of the sewing machine 10, is a pair of endless belts 20 and 21 in superimposed relation, the belt 20 being above the belt 21 and actually touching each other. The belt 20 passes around a pulley wheel 22 and the belt 21 passes around a pulley wheel 23 at the left end in FIG. 4. At the other end, and behind the sewing machine, the upper belt 20 passes around a wheel 24 and the lower belt passes around a wheel 25. The wheels 24 and 25 are driven by a common drive source 26 see FIG. 1, which has a shaft 27 driving the pulley wheel 24 and a shaft 28, driving the pulley wheel 25. It will be noted, viewing FIG. 4, that the lower belt 21 is longer than the upper belt 20 and that the pulley wheel 25 is positioned closer to the machine than the pulley wheel 24. The drive device 26 is also provided with a conventional transverse cutter blade 29 which swings downwardly to cut the thread and buckram after the piece of cloth has passed by from the sewing machine.

The material of the belts 20 and 21 are such that they will frictionally abut each other and grasp the cloth as it passes from the machine. Viewing FIG. 4, the piece of material passes from right to left and it will move from the machine on to the lower belt 23. From there it will pass between the two belts 20 and 21 which will exert sufficient contiguous pressure to hold the cloth shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 4. It will be noted that the edge of the cloth which has passed beneath the needle of the sewing machine 10 is the one that is held between the belts 20 and 21. The rest of the cloth will hang draped downwardly as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The cloth will be carried along the belts 20 and 21 until approximately the center of the belt is reached at which point further movement will be taken over by the grasping and carrying mechanism hereinafter described.

The frame 12 is provided with a central bar 30 extending parallel to the side bars 17 from the front bar 16 to the rear bar 18, see FIG. 1. A pair of angle irons 31 extend inwardly from each end of the bar 30 in spaced relation above it. The angle irons 31 support a holder 32 at each end connected by a pipe 33 horizontally positioned above the bar 30. The holders 32 are provided with pulleys 34 and a driving belt 35 extends 7 around the pulleys and passes through the pipe 33. The lower segment of the belt 35 is therefore positioned slightly above the central bar 30. We now provide a movable carrier bar 36 having spaced rollers 37 at each end resting on the flat horizontal portions of the angle irons 17. The bar 36 can. therefore ride along the angle irons 17 from the position adjacent the front bar 16 as shown in FIG. 1 to the right to a point adjacent the rear 18. The top of the carrying bar 36 is provided with a unit 38 which attaches the belt 35. Reciprocation of the belt 35 will therefore move the bar 36 backwardly and forwardly between the horizontal crossbars 16 and 18 at the front and rear of the machine. Mounted on the bar 36, spaced from the lower end as viewed in FIG. I, is an air cylinder 39 having a reciprocating piston 40 pivotally linked at 41 to a flat gear 42. The gear 42 meshes with a similar gear 43 so that movement of the gear 42 clockwise causes counterclockwise motion of the gear 43 and vice versa. Now viewing FIG. 2, the gears 42 and 43 are mounted on top of vertical rods 44 and 45. The rod 44 carries a horizontal finger 46 and the rod 45 carries a horizontal finger 47.

Operation of the unit is thus simple, when the piston 40 reciprocates in one direction the gears 42 and 43 will rotate and turn the rods 44 and 45 in position so that the fingers 46 and 47 will turn towards each other in touching position. When the piston 40 is reciprocated in the opposite direction turning movement of the gears 42 and 43 and of the rods 44 and 45 will cause the fingers 46 and 47 to pivot into the open position shown in FIG. 2.

A similar mechanism is mounted adjacent the other end of the rod 36 and spaced therefrom. A cylinder 48 is provided with the reciprocating piston 49 linked at 50 to a gear 51 which meshes with a similar gear 52. As in the previous form, the gears 51 and 52 are provided with vertical rods 53 on which the fingers 54 are horizontally pivoted. It should be noted that the fingers 54 are of rectangular design.

Now viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, the horizontal carrier bar 36 will be positioned at the extreme left as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 it has been moved slightly forwardly to permit a better view of the belts and 21 and the cloth they are carrying. Now as the cloth moves along the belts 20 and 21 into the position in FIGS. 4 and 5, the leading edge of the cloth will contact a lever arm 55 extending from the unit mounted at the left end of the device as shown in FIG. 5. The lever arm 55 trips a microswitch which results in the reciprocation of the piston 40 in the cylinder 39 and the piston 49 in the cylinder 48. The fingers 46 and 47 swing towards each other and grasp the leading edge of the material shown in dotted line in FIG. 4. Simultaneously the fingers 54 swing towards each other and grasp the rear edge of the material as shown in FIG. 4. The material is now firmly grasped at each side edge between the fingers 47 and 46 at one edge and 54 at the other edge.

The belt 35 is now activated to move the carrier bar 36 along the channeled irons l7 and the first initial movement gently pulls the cloth from between the belts 20 and 21. The cloth is then carried away at right angles to the belts until a position is reached where the cylinders 39 and 48 are again activated, as by tripping a conventional microswitch, and the pistons 40 and 49 reciprocate so that the fingers open and release the cloth. The cloth will then be draped over its stacking device hereinafter to-be described. It should be noted that the position of the finger engaging assemblies hereinabove described on the carrier bar 36 are adjustable for different widths of cloth. The lengths of the fingers 46,47 and 54 are such that a few inches in length need not be compensated for as they will be grasped by the fingers. However longer variations in width of cloth will have to be compensated for by changing the position of the finger grasping assemblies.

The foregoing describes the first part of the stacking device. The second part of the device is designed to receive the material and while it is positioned immediately adjacent the first part it is completely disassociated therefrom. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the stacking rack 56 is constructed mainly of angle iron stock. It is of generally rectangular construction and the bottom comprises side rails 57 a front rail 58 and a rear rail 59. Extending vertically from each rear corner is an angle iron 60 which is braced in vertical position by a corner plate 61 between the rear angle iron 59 and the side angle iron 57. Slightly more than midway from the left to the right in FIG. 3, a spaced angle iron 62 extends vertically from the side bar 57 and may be braced in position by a plate 63. The top of the angle iron 62 is attached to the top of the angle iron 60 by a cross brace 64.

At the forward end, an angle iron 65 extends upwardly at each corner and is braced in position by a plate 66. The vertical angle irons 65 are taller than the angle irons 60 and 62 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. At the top of each angle iron 65 is a supporting bracket 67 which supports an elongated channel member 68 at a flat upward angle. The member 68 extends upwardly and above the crossbar 64 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The outer end of the member 68 is provided with an L- shaped stop 69 having a depending flange 70. A connecting rod 71 ties in the two connecting flanges from each comer of the front as shown in FIG. I. Mounted at each bracket 67, from a point slightly below the channel member 68 is a second channel member 72 which extends downwardly at a flat angle to a supporting bracket 73 mounted on the vertical member 62. The channel member 72 may be supported by a strap 74 extending from beneath its forward end and rearwardly to the vertical angle iron 65. The channel member 72 is then continued at 75 at a slightly lesser downward angle to the rear channel member 60 where it is supported on a bracket 76.

The entire framework is supported on adjustable legs as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each side lower angle iron 57 is provided adjacent the ends with a pivotal flat leg 77 pivotally mounted thereon at 78 and having a roller 79 at the bottom end for rolling the device. The tops of the legs 77 are pivotally connected by a bar 80. Between the two legs 77 we provide an elongated vertical lever 81, see FIG. 2, which is connected to the bar 80 at 82 and at its lower end 83 is provided with a rod 84 which extends across to a short lever 85 connected to the opposite bar 80, see FIG. 3. When the rack has been rolled into the position shown in FIG. 2 it may have to be dropped below the level of the fingers 46 and 47 as shown in FIG. 2. The lever 81 is therefore pivoted towards the left and the legs 77 will then pivot into the position shown in FIG. 3 to lower the device closer to the floor. Intermediate position can be effected by tieing the lever 81 into any intermediate position.

The goods are received from the carriage member hereinabove described on rods 86, see FIG. 1. Each rod 86 is provided with a roller 87 at each end designed to roll freely in the channel members 68,72 and 75.

Now viewing FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of rods 86 are positioned adjacent the top end of the channel member 68 and held therein by a pin 88 extending upwardly from a solenoid 89 mounted beneath the channel member 68. A second solenoid 90 is mounted adjacent the solenoid 89 and a second pin 91 is designed to swing upwardly in the path of movement of the rods slightly spaced from the pin 88. When the operator presses a button, the pins 91 move downwardly allowing the rod 86 directly behind it, see FIG. 3, to be released and roll by gravity down along the channel member 68 until it reaches the bracket 67. As this action takes place the solenoid 89 has moved its pin 88 upwardly to hold back the balance of the rods 86 into the position shown in FIG. 2. Now the pin 91 moves upwardly again and the pin 88 moves down allowing the rods 86 to move downwardly against the pin 91. This places a rod 86 between the two pins ready to be released again. As the rod 86 reaches the inner end of the channel member 68 it drops downwardly on to channel member 72 where it is held by a pin 92 operated by a solenoid 93. This rod 86 is now positioned at the front upper corner of the rack as shown in FIG. 1.

Now each time that the carriage 38 moves at right angles to the belts 20 and 21 it carries with it between the grasping fin gers 47 and 54 a piece of drapery or curtain material as hereinabove set forth. The material swings downwardly as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Now as the carriage moves along it pulls the material across the rod 86 positioned at the front end. The rack 56 is so placed beneath the device that approximately half of the cloth will be pulled across the top of the rod 86 before the fingers let go and reverse the operation. As the fingers let go the material drapes downwardly so that it is hung over the rod 86. The sewing operation moves quite rapidly and drape material is draped over the rod 86 one over the other in rapid rotation. The sewing is usually done in bundles of a dozen or more pieces and when the operator finishes a bundle she presses a button which drops the pin 92 and allows the rod 86 now loaded with a dozen pieces of material to roll down the inclined slope of the channel member 72 on the channel member 75 and rearwardly against the rear vertical posts 60. They are now completely out of the way and at a convenient time a boy can lift the rods from the channel members and remove them to the next operation.

However, when the operator presses the button to release the pin 92, the pin 91 is also released allowing the next rod 86 to start its downward movement and at the same time the pin 88 has moved upwardly to hold back the remainder of the rods. After the rod 86 at the forward end has dropped down on to the pin 92 now raised again, the pin 91 will move upwardly and the pin 88 will move downwardly to allow the reservoir of empty rods to again slide down against the forward pin 91. Thus the operator with a single press of the button controls and releases the piled stock on the forward rod 86 and brings a fresh rod 86 into stacking position.

The device of the present invention therefore accomplishes automatically a multiplicity of operations normally manually performed. It removes the work from the sewing machine, cuts the thread and buckram or tape which may have been sewed to it carries it away from the machine and then gently piles it on a supporting rod in any given quantity. in the course of a day the operator may fill many rods which are automatically rolled to the rear 'of the rack and removed when required. The rack 56 is sufficiently wide, see FIG. 1 so that it will encompass any width of material. Thus the adjustment for the width of material which is possible by adjusting the position of the finger engaging members is always within the length of the rods 86. The entire construction is of simple channel and angle iron and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A device for stacking textile material issuing from a sewing machine comprising a pair of endless belts oppositely driven from a common source in contiguous horizontal position, the material being frictionally retained adjacent one edge between said belts, said belts carrying the material to a predetermined position, means for grasping opposite side edges of the material, said grasping means being movable at right angles to said belts to pull the material from said belts to a predetermined point at right angles to said belts, a frame adjustably positioned beneath the path of movement of said grasping means, means on said frame for supporting the material in draped position, said grasping means being activated to release the material at said predetermined point, whereby the material will drape over said supporting means.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a rod positioned transversely to the line of movement of said grasping means whereby the material will drape over said rod on release by said grasping means.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said rod is movable on said frame when filled and replaceable with an empty rod.

4. A device as in claim 3, wherein said receiving and stacking means comprises a generally rectangular frame of angle iron construction, a plurality of receiving rods each having a roller at each end for rolling along said angle irons, an angular angle iron path for selectively moving an empty rod to material receiving position, and an angular angle iron path for moving said fully loaded rods away from said receiving position.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein a cutter is mounted between the sewing machine and said belts to cut the thread after the material has passed the cutter to be engaged by said belts.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said grasping means comprises a horizontal frame, a carriage reciprocally mounted on said frame, an elongated carrier rod mounted on said carriage, and two pairs of spaced movable fingers adjustably mounted on said carrier rod.

7. A device as in claim 4, wherein said grasping means comprises a horizontal frame, a carriage reciprocally mounted on said frame, an elongated carrier rod mounted on said carriage, and two pairs of spaced movable fingers adjustably mounted on said carrier rod. 

1. A device for stacking textile material issuing from a sewing machine comprising a pair of endless belts oppositely driven from a common source in contiguous horizontal position, the material being frictionally retained adjacent one edge between said belts, said belts carrying the material to a predetermined position, means for grasping opposite side edges of the material, said grasping means being movable at right angles to said belts to pull the material from said belts to a predetermined point at right angles to said belts, a frame adjustably positioned beneath the path of movement of said grasping means, means on said frame for supporting the material in draped position, said grasping means being activated to release the material at said predetermined point, whereby the material will drape over said supporting means.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a rod positioned transversely to the line of movement of said grasping means whereby the material will drape over said rod on release by said grasping means.
 3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said rod is movable on said frame when filled and replaceable with an empty rod.
 4. A device as in claim 3, wherein said receiving and stacking means comprises a generally rectangular frame of angle iron construction, a plurality of receiving rods each having a roller at each end for rolling along said angle irons, an angular angle iron path for selectively moving an empty rod to material receiving position, and an angular angle iron path for moving said fully loaded rods away from said receiving position.
 5. A device as in claim 1, wherein a cutter is mounted between the sewing machine and said belts to cut the thread after the material has passed the cutter to be engaged by said belts.
 6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said grasping means comprises a horizontal frame, a carriage reciprocally mounted on said frame, an elongated carrier rod mounted on said carriage, and two pairs of spaced movable fingers adjustably mounted on said carrier rod.
 7. A device as in claim 4, wherein said grasping means comprises a horizontal frame, a carriage reciprocally mounted on said frame, an elongated carrier rod mounted on said carriage, and two pairs of spaced movable fingers adjustably mounted on said carrier rod. 